Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 356

Chapter 356: Deal(2) Chapter 356: Deal(2) Lucius shuddered under the weight of the man’s gaze.

It was unsettlingly neutral, devoid of malice yet coldly detached, like the normal eyes of a farmer surveying his livestock, deciding which pig to slaughter as soon as the winter’s chill arrives, making use of the cold and the absence of flies and insects.

He knew almost nothing about the man.

Their only interaction had been the brief instructions he’d been given before his departure, delivered in a clipped, dispassionate tone that revealed nothing of the speaker’s nature.

Lucius had since tried to piece together some understanding of him, some shred of context to anchor his growing unease.

Was he a trusted confidant of the prince?Was he recruited like them , and it just happened that he was actually good at the job?

Unlike them?

The questions came as quickly as they were dismissed.

Lucius had more pressing concerns, the foremost being the gnawing sense that this man was here to decide their fate.

Was he right?

Could it be true that Alpheo had sent this man not to rescue them, but to ensure their silence?

It was a chilling thought, one that wrapped itself around Lucius like a suffocating cloak.

Could the prince truly prefer us dead?

he wondered, the words echoing in his mind like a prayer uttered in desperation.

The thought was unbearable, but Lucius couldn’t ignore the mounting evidence that his life, and Marcus’s, might be in more danger than they currently were  As if oblivious to the turmoil roiling in the two captives’ minds, the man simply shifted his gaze away from them, his attention returning to Inor with the same calm detachment.  Lucius’s shoulders sagged slightly, though not in relief.

As the man’s indifference was as disconcerting as his scrutiny.

Inor leaned forward “So,” he said, gesturing toward Marcus and Lucius with a casual wave of his hand, “are you satisfied?

Here they are, alive and well, as promised.” The man’s gaze lingered on the two captives for a moment longer before he straightened his back and gave a single, deliberate nod.

“I am,” he said, his voice smooth and clipped.

Inor exhaled audibly, leaning back as though relieved to move past that point of contention.

“Good,” he said, though there was an edge of impatience to his tone.

“Now, about that food.

You can see for yourself that we’re in dire need of it.” He gestured around the camp with a sweeping motion, taking in the gaunt faces, the half-starved rebels clustered around meager fires, and the faint, hollow coughing that punctuated the silence.

The man tilted his head, his sharp eyes scanning the scene.

After a pause, he nodded.

“Yes,” he said evenly.

“I can see that.

In fact,” he added, with an air of calm authority, “the carts with supplies were prepared some time ago.” Inor’s expression darkened instantly.

“Prepared?” he repeated, his voice rising slightly.

“If they’ve been ready, then why in the gods’ hells haven’t they been brought here?” The man’s lips twitched, and for the first time, a hint of emotion cracked his otherwise impassive demeanor.

It wasn’t much-a faint, mocking snigger “And how, exactly, were we supposed to drag wagons through the forest?Ever seen horses with wings?” he asked, his tone laced with dry sarcasm.

Inor’s jaw clenched as he glared at the man, but before he could speak, the man raised a hand to forestall him.

“The problem remains,” he said, his voice firm now.

“You’re still moving through the trees, and as long as you are, we can’t reach you with supplies.” His gaze swept the camp again, his tone softening just enough to sound almost complimentary.

“I understand why you’ve taken this route.

Avoiding the army’s pursuit was a wise decision-a commendable one, even-but it’s left you stranded.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

“You’re out of danger now,” he concluded” Given that kn- Inor raised a hand, his patience visibly thinning as he cut off the man mid-sentence.

His voice, though steady, carried a sharp edge of frustration.

“What do you mean ‘out of danger’?

Are you blind to the fact that there’s an army breathing down our necks, hunting us like dogs?” The man turned his gaze toward Inor, his expression a frustrating mix of calm and faint disdain.

“I mean exactly what I said,” he replied, his voice measured and firm.

“The army stopped pursuing you several days ago.

Their focus has shifted to the fortresses you captured.

In short, you’re not worth their effort anymore.

If they had been genuinely intent on catching you, you’d all be corpses by now.

Marching at the pace you’ve set, through terrain like this?

It’s a miracle you’ve managed to keep yourselves together this long.Cavalry could not go further, but infantry could” Inor’s jaw tightened as he absorbed the news.

His shoulders sagged, and he exhaled heavily.

“If that’s the case, what are we to do then?” The man straightened, his gaze shifting to the forest canopy above as if calculating distances in his mind.

Finally, he pointed northeast with a gloved hand.

“You’ll march in that direction,” he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

“Half a day’s travel should suffice.

If you stay on course, you’ll leave the forest by nightfall of the next day .” Inor followed the direction of the man’s gesture, his eyes narrowing as though he could pierce through the trees and see the open plains beyond.

The man continued, his voice steady and businesslike.

“Once you’re out of the forest, we’ll ensure that your supplies are delivered.

And you can have your follower have an actual meal” Inor’s brow furrowed, his lips twitching as though he wanted to argue.

But before he could, the man added, “As for the meeting, it will be arranged based on your position.

You’ll be escorted to the individual who holds the authority to finalize this… agreement.

That’s where you’ll make your requests.

Until then, all you need to do is march.” He dropped his hand and crossed his arms, his expression unchanging.

The fire crackled between them, the only sound breaking the tense silence.

“You expect me to walk willingly into their hands?” he said, his voice low and brimming with suspicion.

“What’s to stop them from simply locking me away or worse?

If I go, I won’t come back.

That much is clear.” The man across from him didn’t flinch.

His gaze remained level, calm, and unyielding.

“If you think he’ll step in your place, you’re mistaken,” he replied evenly, cutting off Inor’s suggestion before it could even be voiced.

“The same argument applies to them.” He leaned forward slightly, gesturing with his hand.

“The talks will take place in an open field-neutral ground.

There will be no hiding places, no opportunity for anyone to spring an ambush unnoticed.

Both sides will be allowed no more than ten guards to ensure equal footing.” Inor’s lips twisted into a frown as he considered the proposal, but the man wasn’t finished.

“Once the discussions are concluded, both of your hostages will be freed.

That is the agreement on the table.I suggest you take it while it still on.” For a moment, Inor said nothing, his gaze fixed on the fire.

His mind raced with the implications, weighing the risks.

Honestly, he knew that the only advantage he had were those two, and regarding the talks of today it appear clear that they have some value; after all if they weren’t what stopped them from denying any support and waiting for the rebels to starve?

Finally, he straightened, his jaw set in reluctant determination.

“Fine,” he said, his tone curt.

“But only on the condition that your promise of food is fulfilled.

Without it, there’s nothing to discuss.” The man gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable.

“Then we have an understanding.” Inor didn’t reply, his eyes still locked on the fire, the flames casting a flickering glow over the hard lines of his face.

As the conversation seemed to settle, Lucius, unable to restrain himself any longer, cleared his throat.

The interruption was jarring, and both Inor and the man turned toward him.

Lucius stepped forward hesitantly, his voice tinged with unease.

“Forgive me,” he began, glancing briefly at Inor before focusing on the man.

“But…

is he disappointed?” The man studied Lucius for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Then, with a measured calm, he said, “Disappointed?

Yes, to a degree.” His tone was sharp but not cruel.

“But he is also satisfied with the results you’ve achieved.

He is willing to overlook it…” Lucius and Marcus exhaled deeply, relief washing over them like a wave.

Lucius bowed his head a bit  “Thank you.

Truly.

We needed to hear that” The man nodded slightly, his gaze steady as ever.

“Good,” he said.

“If there’s nothing else?” Inor, who had been silent during the exchange, shook his head stiffly, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“Then I will take my leave,” the man said, standing and adjusting his cloak.

His movements were precise, deliberate, as though he had already planned his next steps.

Without another word, he turned and walked away, his boots crunching softly against the ground, leaving the camp to itself